Tech's Miller drafted by Orioles in 23rd roundBy Mark Burke Assistant Sports Editor A life-long dream became a reality for one Arkansas Tech pitcher Wednesday. Aubrey Miller was selected in the 23rd round -- the 685th pick overall -- of the Major League Baseball amateur draft by the Baltimore Orioles on Day 2 of the draft. Now, the right-handed pitcher faces the decision of whether to sign with the Baltimore organization or return for his final season of eligibility with the Wonder Boys. ...

GSC athletic directors meet, discuss possible changesBy Danny Scott Sports Editor The face of Gulf South Conference athletics is having a little work done. GSC athletic directors spent the past two days discussing possible changes to various sports during their annual meeting in Birmingham, Ala. Arkansas Tech athletic director and head football coach Steve Mullins attended the meeting, which began Monday afternoon and concluded Tuesday. No major changes are in the works, he said -- a nip here, a...

Wonder Boys in process of building hoops teamWonder Boys in process of building hoops team By Mark Burke Assistant Sports Editor When Arkansas Tech men's basketball coach Mark Downey was hired back in April, it was obvious he was excited about rebuilding the Wonder Boys program. A challenge, no doubt, but Downey hasn't shied away from the task at hand. He's also tried to share that excitement with prospective players and has recently signed two recruits to join the 2006-07 team. Benton s...

Tech to conduct two summer softball campsCourier sports staff Arkansas Tech head softball coach Gidget Pambianchi recently announced that the university plans to conduct a pair of softball camps this summer, according to a release obtained Tuesday by The Courier. The first camp, scheduled for July 13-14, is billed as a two-day hitting and skills camp. It will focus on hitting techniques as well as teaching or improving basic softball skills. The second camp, which is scheduled for Ju...

New schemes, new faces equal new look for Arkansas Tech Wonder BoysBy Danny Scott Sports Editor Arkansas Tech recently released its post-spring football depth chart, and as expected, there are plenty of fresh faces in starting positions. Tech entered the spring looking for seven new starters on each side of the ball, as well as a new punter and place kicker. But perhaps the most noticeable change in Tech's depth chart is terminology -- the positions needing to be filled, as opposed to the players filling them...

Tech baseball trio honored by leagueCourier sports staff Arkansas Tech placed three players on this year's All-Gulf South Conference baseball team released by the league office Friday. Sophomore second baseman Heath Roseberry heads up the the Wonder Boys trio as he was named a first-team All-GSC West Division selection, while junior outfielder Justin Bollig and junior pitcher Aubrey Miller were named to the second team. Roseberry becomes the Wonder Boys' 28th first-team selectio...

Former Tech SID to receive Lifetime Achievement AwardFor The Courier Larry Smith, sports information director at Arkansas Tech University from 1987-2005, has been selected to receive the 2006 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Lifetime Achievement Award. Smith will be presented with the honor during the CoSIDA national convention in Nashville, Tenn., on July 5. Nominees for the CoSIDA Lifetime Achievement Award must have served in the field of sports information for 25 or m...

Miles becomes second RHS athlete to sign with UCABy Danny Scott Sports Editor Central Arkansas welcomed another Russellville High School athlete into the fold Thursday. RHS track star Emily Miles signed a national letter of intent with UCA during an afternoon ceremony in the RHS commons. Miles is the 10th RHS athlete to sign this year and the second to sign with UCA, joining basketball standout Marcus Pillow. She said she originally chose UCA for academic reasons but is looking forward to co...

It's difficult to get excited about Arkansas-Texas seriesBy Danny Scott Sports Editor Straight from the Press I've just been handed an urgent news bulletin. This just in: The Southwest Conference has disbanded. Arkansas defects to Southeastern Conference. Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Baylor combine with Big Eight to form Big 12. TCU, SMU Houston and Rice banished to the four corners of mid-majordom. Film at 11. If you're not fond of sarcasm -- and, surprisingly, some aren't -- let me be clear: T...

Former Tech trainer wins national awardFor The Courier Former Arkansas Tech athletic trainer Steve Hornor of Russellville has been named the 2005-06 national assistant certified athletic trainer of the year by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) for NCAA Division II colleges and universities. Hornor, now a member of the athletic training staff at Central Arkansas in Conway, will be presented his award at the annual NATA summer convention in Atlanta as part of the Col...

Russellville's Holeyfield headed to HendrixBy Danny Scott Sports Editor Russellville High School student Ashlyn Holeyfield has joined the growing list of local athletes who will take their games to the next level. Holeyfield plans to attend Hendrix College in Conway, where she will compete in both volleyball and softball. She made her decision public Wednesday before friends, family and supporters in the RHS commons. "It feels wonderful," Holeyfield said. "Hendrix is such a great fit f...

Three Tech softball players earn All-conference honorsCourier sports staff Three members of the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns softball team were named to the All-Gulf South Conference Softball team released by the league office Tuesday. Tech senior pitcher / third baseman Lindsey Klabacha was named to the All-GSC West Division first team, while sophomore shortstop Molly Schweigert and sophomore pitcher / first baseman Nicole Berry were named to the second team. Berry and Schweigert are repeat selecti...

Youth, inexperience evident for Wonder Boys in 2006By Mark Burke Assistant Sports Editor The Arkansas Tech baseball team entered the 2006 season with a youthful team, and that inexperience only became more evident to Wonder Boys head coach Billy Goss as the season wore on. Not that Goss wasn't already aware of the situation. With just five seniors -- compared to 22 underclassmen -- experience wasn't a strong suit. It translated into a 19-29 overall record and a 6-17 mark in Gulf South Conferen...

Slowed by injuries, Elliott still looking to make mark at TechBy Ryan McShane Tech journalism student Time and time again, professional football gurus witness larger-than-life athletes lose years from their lives from season- and career-ending injuries. One particularly infamous play involved Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Theisman ending his season -- and, ultimately, his career -- with a leg-breaking tackle that sounded like a gunshot to anyone watching. These professional football players can justify ri...

Danville native earns Wonder Boy spirit awardTech Sports Information Arkansas Tech head baseball coach Billy Goss announced Friday that pitcher Robert Mitchell, a Danville native, has been named the first winner of the Spirit of Wonder Boy Baseball Award. The award was created this season to honor the Tech baseball athlete who best exemplifies strong character, perseverance, work ethic, enthusiasm, leadership and pure love of the game. "This award was thought up with Robert in mind, and ...

Suns add 7 players to basketball teamCourier sports staff Arkansas Tech Golden Suns Basketball Coach Todd Schaefer announced his recruiting class of five high school players and two junior college transfers for the 2006-07 school year Wednesday. Of the five high school players in Schaefer's second recruiting class, four of them have been selected to participate in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-star game in June. This past season, Tech finished with a 15-12 over...

Ozarks tennis duo honored by ASCOzarks Sports Information CLARKSVILLE -- Olivia Fisher and Lee Short have earned American Southwest Conference East Division tennis honors, announced by the league office Wednesday. Fisher was named to the ASC All-East Division first team while Short earned a spot on the ASC All-East Division second team as voted upon by the conference head coaches. Fisher, a sophomore from Mountain Home, posted a 5-1 ASC record as the team's top singles playe...

Leavell, Williams sign national letters of intentBy Danny Scott Sports Editor DOVER -- A pair of Dover girls has joined the ever-growing list of area athletes who will continue their careers at the next level. Dover basketball standouts Baylea Leavell and Casey Williams signed national letters of intent Tuesday before family, friends and supporters in the Dover High School library. Both will stay close to home. Leavell inked with Arkansas Tech, while Williams will play for Central Baptist Co...

Tech volleyball coach announces 2006 scheduleTech Sports Information Arkansas Tech head volleyball coach Kristy Kale announced her team's 2006 season schedule Tuesday, according to a release obtained by The Courier. Kale, who is entering her third season at the helm of the Golden Suns volleyball program, announced a 34-match schedule, four in-season tournaments, one of which will be hosted by Tech. The schedule features 12 home matches at Tucker Coliseum, including six Gulf South Confere...

Tech's Pambianchi officially promoted to head coachCourier sport staff Arkansas Tech athletic director Steve Mullins announced Monday that interim softball coach Gidget Pambianchi has officially been promoted to head coach, according to a Tech Sports Department release. "I'm excited about the great opportunity here at Arkansas Tech University," Pambianchi stated in the release. "I'm looking forward to the challenge, and I'm thankful that the administration here at Tech had the confidence in me...